Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Nigerian Customs orders removal of illegal checkpoints nationwide

Following a presidential directive, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has ordered the immediate removal of all illegal Customs checkpoints across the country.

The directive is contained in a circular CNS/ENF/ABJ/032/S.35, issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Acting Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Mr. A. Dangaladima.

Checkpoints within the Port areas will also be removed.

He asked all customs comptrollers to ensure that information patrols outside borders should not last more than 24 hours.

He said that the circular was sequel to the directive of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in the present administration’s determination to make doing business easier for the private sector.

The circular, titled “Removal of all illegal check-points across the country,” said: “Reference to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Letter No: PEBEC/EBES/SSAITIOVP/TWN/03 of 18th July 2017 on the above subject-matter, a copy of which is herewith attached.

“ I am directed to convey CGC’s directive to all the Commands and Units to ensure immediate implementation.

“For avoidance of doubt, it is hereby emphasized that check-points mounted outside forty (40) kilometers to the border are illegal, while information patrols outside this point should not last more than twenty four (24) hours at any given time.

“The forty (40) kilometres radius applies only to the borders and consequently there should be no check-points within the Port Areas.

“To further clarify these issues, it should be reminded strongly, that only two (2) check-points situated at AGBARA and GBAJI along Lagos- Badagry- Seme road are statutorily approved, for instance.

“Henceforth, Zonal Coordinators, Comptrollers FOUs, CACs, CIU and other Units will be jointly held responsible for flouting the directive.